Board of Directors
Dr. Sara Safari
Dr. Safari is an author, speaker, mountain climber, college professor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She has received the award for The Global Citizen from United Nations Association in 2015. She also has received the award for Outstanding Practice with Broad Impact in the area of women and leadership from International Leadership Association in 2017.
Sara is the first Iranian in history to climb the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks in each continent. She is featured in the Netflix documentary “Aftershock” about the avalanche survival during the 7.8 earthquake on Mt. Everest.
Dylan Grimes
Mr. Grimes has more than 15 years of total legal experience and has been named to the Super Lawyers list for multiple years, both as a Rising Star and a top-rated entertainment and sports lawyer for Santa Monica. The Super Lawyers distinction is limited to less than 5% of all lawyers nationwide. Over the course of his practice, he has achieved significant success assisting his clients with matters in contract negotiation, drafting and enforcement, litigation, in both intellectual and real property disputes, and other legal matters.
Pari Sakhai
Pari Sakhai migrated to Southern California at age 13. Her undergraduate studies were in Business Administration and Finance and she later pursued a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. She got involved with Empower Nepali Girls in 2009 and traveled to Nepal. She has volunteered and worked as a counselor serving a variety of individuals and families with diverse backgrounds. She began teaching undergraduate psychology in 2014 and is a director and chair of humanities. She has completed two century bike rides and raises funds for blood cancer treatments and research for LLS. She loves to paint, hike, cook, and ride her bike. She speaks Farsi, French, and English.
Alyssa Thies
Alyssa Theis serves as the Secretary of Climb Your Everest. Born and raised in Southern California, she holds a Master's degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. Alyssa works as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and is the Clinical Director of a group practice in San Diego. Alyssa enjoys supporting the perinatal population in therapy, assisting those who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or in the postpartum period with balancing parenthood and the management of their own mental health needs.
Her journey towards working with Climb Your Everest began in 2015 when she volunteered with Empower Nepali Girls, traveling to Nepal to support Nepali women and girls in their pursuit of education. It was there that she met Dr. Sara Safari. Since then, Alyssa has been an integral part of Climb Your Everest's mission, contributing her skills and compassion to the cause.
Beyond her professional life, Alyssa finds joy in staying active and spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters. Whether it's playing soccer on the weekends, hiking, climbing, or camping, she cherishes the opportunity to connect with nature and her family.
Dr. Kelly Cerialo
Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo is an Associate Professor in Business and Hospitality Management and Program Coordinator for the Communication and Hospitality Departments at Paul Smith’s College. She holds a PhD in Leadership and Change Program from Antioch University. She is the former Director for Paul Smith’s College Global Center for Rural Communities and current Co-chair of the UNESCO Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve. Kelly is a steering committee member for the U.S. UNESCO Biosphere Network and co-founder/focal point for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Youth Network. She also co-founded the Adirondack and Appeninno Sustainable Parks and Communities Project – an international study abroad partnership between the UNESCO Tuscan Emilian Apennine Biosphere Reserve, the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve (NY/VT) and the Ledro Alps and Judicaria Biosphere Reserve (Italy) that focuses on promoting sustainable development and sustainable tourism in protected landscapes. Throughout her work, Kelly focuses on youth leadership development and empowering women through education and professional development opportunities.
Ginhee Rancourt
Growing up the eldest of 8 children, Ginhee had planned to be a professional ballet dancer. Life took an unexpected turn of events when she became guardian of her younger brothers and sisters nearly overnight, and out of the need to care for them, Young Art was born. This humble growth journey of entrepreneurship has taught courage in the face of adversity, grit, anti-fragility, and resilience, through learning to bounce back from challenges faster. With her siblings nearly grown, Ginhee is dedicating her future in service to girls and young women in the developing world. Firstly, to provide financial self-sufficiency through meaningful employment that paves the way for their economically independent future. Secondly, to be an advocate for social justice, emboldening girls and women to use their voice to speak truth and stand in light as they take bold steps forward in pursuit of their brightest future.
Ryan Thomas Neace
Ryan Thomas Neace holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and has a comprehensive background in mental health, entrepreneurialism, and education that spans the US from coast to coast across more than 20 years. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Missouri and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of California. He also holds the most advanced clinical mental health credential offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Ryan is the Founder (2013) & CEO of Change, Inc., a psychotherapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Nicole, live in San Diego, CA with their two children and two cats.
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